Posted on 01/18/2022 2:53:53 PM PST by nickcarraway
Daniel Radcliffe is set to star as Grammy-winning musician ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic in the Roku original movie “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” The film is Roku’s first original biopic and will be available to stream exclusively on The Roku Channel. The project is produced by Funny Or Die and Tango. Yankovic co-wrote the film’s script with Eric Appel, who is also set to direct the project.
The official “Weird: The Al Yankovic Story” synopsis from Roku reads: “The biopic holds nothing back, exploring every facet of Yankovic’s life, from his meteoric rise to fame with early hits like ‘Eat It’ and ‘Like a Surgeon’ to his torrid celebrity love affairs and famously depraved lifestyle. ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ takes audiences on a truly unbelievable journey through Yankovic’s life and career, from gifted child prodigy to the greatest musical legend of all time.”
“When my last movie UHF came out in 1989, I made a solemn vow to my fans that I would release a major motion picture every 33 years, like clockwork. I’m very happy to say we’re on schedule,” said Yankovic in a statement. “And I am absolutely thrilled that Daniel Radcliffe will be portraying me in the film. I have no doubt whatsoever that this is the role future generations will remember him for.”
Colin Davis, Roku’s Head of Original Scripted Programming, added, “There clearly aren’t enough biopic movies about famous musicians and we were excited to shine a light on the incredibly true, unexaggerated story of Weird Al. This is sincerely the ultimate combination of talent, creativity, and friends, coming together to make something genuinely funny and we could not be prouder to call this film a Roku Original.”
“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time and a five-time Grammy winner. The musician’s 2014 release Mandatory Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at number one on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. Production on the biopic begins in Los Angeles in early February.
How about the return of Super Dave.
Why don’t they just put Weird Al in it as himself?
cat’s in the kettle at the peking moon is my favorite...
“famously depraved lifestyle”
Didn’t know that.
From Wikipedia:
In stark contrast to his stage persona, Yankovic is known by friends and associates to be polite, shy, and introverted, even among family. He is a Christian, and a married couple from the church he attends can be seen in the background on the cover of his album Poodle Hat. His religious upbringing is reflected in his abstinence from profanity, alcohol, and drugs.
Daniel, not so much.
Gawd. Not another one (I hope).
He’s always been so private.
From what I understand he is famously not depraved. I watched an interview where he joked that even though he didn’t drink, or do drugs, or curse or cheat on his wife he was still the one called ‘weird.”
UHF is an OK movie made very good by Michael Richards (Kramer)
Worth the time to watch.
UHF? 1989???
I feel so old now. I actually saw it in the theater.
“Supplies!!!”
Good times.
Love the man, he plays a mean accordion.
:)
Two reactions to Weird Al’s Mad Skilz:
#1. Prince, the entertainer refused all requests from Al to allow his songs to be parodied. Prince was heard to say “Weird Al steals singer’s Souls!”
#2. Madonna loved most of Weird Al’s work. She even called him up with a request that he parody one particular song of hers: “Like a Virgin”. Madonna wrote a draft of the screenplay and called it “Like A Surgeon”.
Al used bits and pieces of her suggestions in his parody.
I was friends with Al for a few years, but if there’s one person who is not depraved it’s Al. He’s a very moral person. And a Christian!
Upon further reading this smells like a hit piece. Radcliffe is lefty vermin as are the bums from ‘funny or die.’ Would make sense that they would want to attack a non-pervert.
I always loved his fake interviews on “AL TV”, the one with Eminem is a classic.
I saw it opening day. Was a big Al fan from his Dr. Demento days.
Best line, “YOU GET TO DRINK FROM THE FIRE HOSE!!!!”
I think they are being sarcastic.
Bizarre casting, and Weird Ali’s t even dead yet ...
So in other words, they made it all up?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.